1. A non-governmental organization (hereinafter referred to as NGO) is non-profit making association  of ASEAN persons, natural or juridical, organized to promote, strengthen and help realize the aims and objectives of ASEAN cooperation in the political, economic, social, cultural, scientific, medical and technological fields.

2. For he purpose of the guidelines, organizations or associations which perform functions and activities that are governmental or quasi-governmental in nature but are not part of the formal structure of ASEAN, may be affiliated as NGOs.

3. It shall be normal for an NGO to establish a working link with an ASEAN functional committee through the ASEAN Secretariat. Basically the working link shall allow the NGOs to submit written statements to include proposals or positions and other recommendations.

4. Functional committees may if need be formulate additional rules on the linkage peculiar to their respective needs and practices. These additional rules should be subject to the approval of the Standing Committee.

5. In the case of the ASEAN CCI, it shall continue its present linkage. Its subsidiary organs shall each establish their working links with the appropriate functional committee on matters in pursuance of decisions made by AEM and ASEAN CCI or those activities in line with their respective objectives and functions, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 4.

6. The main objectives of affiliation are :

1. To draw the NGOs into the mainstream of ASEAN activities so that  they are kept informed of major policies, directives and decisions of ASEAN and are given the opportunity and the privilege of participating in ASEAN activities.

2. To ensure interaction and fruitful relationship between the existing ASEAN bodies and the NGOs

7. The ASEAN Secretariat shall receive and process applications for affiliation. If the Secretary-General considers them in conformity with the guidelines, he shall refer them to the ASEAN National Secretariats with the recommendation, which shall respond within 2 months. If the responses are in the affirmative or in the absence of expressed objection within 4 months after receipt, the applications shall be submitted to the ASEAN Standing Committee for consideration.

8. Application for affiliation shall include information regarding the nature and purpose of the application NGO, its constitution and by-laws, its membership, its function, activities, and projects, its link body, etc.

9. Subject to paragraph 7 above, the Secretary-General shall formally present, with his recommendations, applications for affiliation to the Standing Committee which shall consider the  applications using, among others, the following criteria :

1. As a general rule, only NGOs whose membership is confined to the ASEAN nationals may be considered for affiliation with ASEAN.

2. Approval of application for affiliation of an NGO with ASEAN shall be based primarily upon the assessment of the positive contribution which such an NGO could make to the enhancement, strengthening and realization of the aims and objectives of ASEAN.

3. Affiliation status with ASEAN may not be granted to an NGO if it has objectives, activities or projects which are contrary to or inconsistent with the aims and objectives of ASEAN embodied in the Bangkok Declaration and the Declaration of ASEAN Concord.

4. An NGO whose membership comes from a relatively even spread of the ASEAN member countries may be allowed affiliation, provided that ASEAN is satisfied that the NGO merits affiliation and the non-participating member countries have given their consent to the non-governmental organization and provided further that membership shall remain open for other member countries.

10.       An affiliated NGO shall enjoy the following privileges :

1.      It may use the name “ASEAN” and display the official ASEAN emblem in correspondence and communications and its official meetings so long as the displaying of such emblem is non-commercial in  nature.

2.      It may submit written statements or recommendations and views on policy matters or on significant events or regional or international concerns, to the ASEAN Standing Committee through the ASEAN Secretariat.

3.      It may submit its own project proposals for Third Party funding to be channeled through the ASEAN Secretariat to the Standing Committee for approval.

4.      It may initiate programmes of activities for presentation to its link body for appropriate action.

5.      At the discretion of the Chairman of the link body, it may through its representative attend meetings of the link body  for consultation on matters and issues of direct concern to the NGO.

6.      For purposes of doing research for its projects, it may be allowed access to the ASEAN documents on a selective basis I consultation with the ASEAN Secretariat and or its link body.

7.      Subject to rules and regulations, it may be allowed the use of the facilities of the ASEAN Secretariat for its official meetings and other official activities in Jakarta

8.      It shall be encouraged to be self-reliant in terms of its material requirements.

11.       As a general rule, none of the foregoing privileges in paragraph 10 will be extended to organizations nor formally affiliated with ASEAN.

12.       All affiliated NGOs shall be required to comply with the following :

1.      They shall undertake in writing to abide by the policies, guidelines, directives, and other decisions of ASEAN.

2.      They shall be held responsible for their actions, especially those found detrimental to ASEAN as a whole

3.      They shall invite participation of officials of ASEAN member countries at their meetings and activities.

4.      They shall submit annually summary of their activities to the ASEAN standing Committee through the ASEAN Secretariat.

5.      They shall inform the ASEAN Secretariat changes in their officials and memberships.

13.       Upon recommendations by the ASEAN Secretariat after complaint has been lodged by an ASEAN link body or an ASEAN Member State, the Standing Committee shall, at its dscretion, terminate the affiliation of NGOs if :

1.      They engage in acts inimical to ASEAN or any of the ASEAN Member State

2.      They act in contrary to the aims and objectives of ASEAN

3.      They are found to have committed gross misconduct which brings disrepute to ASEAN

4.      They are inactive, defunct or fail to submit annual summary of their activities, as required under paragraph 12.4 for three years in succession.

5.      They change their constitutions, officials and membership resulting in their inability thereafter to adhere to the guidelines.

14.       NGOs whose affiliation has been terminated under paragraph 13 above, shall not take legal action against any ASEAN member country or the ASEAN Secretariat. However, they may appeal to the ASEAN Standing Committee for a consideration of the termination. The decision of the ASEAN Standing Committee shall be final and binding.

15.       An NGO whose affiliation is terminated shall be denied exercise of the privileges provided under paragraph 10.  Such termination shall be made public.